A plant-based diet is feasible in patients with Crohn's disease.
Study Goal
To investigate the feasibility of a plant-based diet intervention for Crohn's disease patients and assess its impact on disease activity and quality of life.
Results Summary
The study found a clinically positive trend in symptom improvement (HBI and IBDQ scores) but no statistically significant effects. Adverse effects included decreased protein intake and slight muscle mass reduction.
Population
Outpatients with Crohn's disease on biological therapy.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
plant-based diet intervention | neutral | patients with Crohn's disease | patients with Crohn's disease | - | may have a beneficial impact | #1 |
plant-based diet intervention | decrease | disease activity | patients with Crohn's disease | - | may reduce | #2 |
plant-based diet intervention | increase | quality of life | patients with Crohn's disease | - | enhance | #3 |
plant-based diet intervention | increase | symptom scores for disease (HBI) | outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy | p=0.028 | clinically positive tendency was seen towards improved | #4 |
plant-based diet intervention | increase | symptom scores for disease (IBDQ) | outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy | p=0.006 | clinically positive tendency was seen towards improved | #5 |
plant-based diet intervention | no change | fatigue (IBD-F) | outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy | p=0.097 | not for | #6 |
plant-based diet intervention | decrease | protein intake | outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy | p=0.069 | decreased | #7 |
plant-based diet intervention | decrease | muscle mass | outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy | - | slightly reduced | #8 |
plant-based diet intervention | increase | perception of disease activity | outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy | - | improved | #9 |
BACKGROUND: Incorporating plant-based diets as a supplement to medical treatment may have a beneficial impact on patients with Crohn's disease, however, research with intervention studies is required. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of a plant-based diet intervention. Secondly, the purpose was to investigate whether such diet may reduce disease activity and enhance quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a single arm feasibility study. Outpatients with Crohn's disease in biological therapy were guided over twelve weeks towards a dietary lifestyle change. OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility concerning recruitment, retention rate and compliance. Secondary outcomes were measures of patient reported outcome questionnaires (PROMS). Paired t-tests were used to examine changes in CO2 emissions, anthropology, biomarkers, and patient-reported data. Δ-values were used to investigate difference between dietary intake and requirements. Linear regression analyses examined the association between biomarkers and PROMS. RESULTS: In total, 15 participants completed the intervention with easy recruitment and a retention rate at 87.6%. A clinically positive tendency was seen towards improved symptom scores for disease (HBI; p=0.028 and IBDQ; p=0.006) but not for fatigue (IBD-F; p = 0.097), although none of these were statistically significant. Adverse effects were decreased protein intake (p=0.069) and slightly reduced muscle mass. It remains unclear to what extent the intervention contributed to the improved self-reported effects although perception of disease activity was improved. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that it is possible to retain patients following a plant-based diet. However, the dietary change required ongoing dietetic support with a focus on anti-inflammatory agents and the still unattainable protein requirements.